My cat was attacked yesterday (need advice)

[GeorgiaMama]

Yesterday my cat Eightball, was attacked by three very large dogs. My cat is 16 years old. I love her very, very much. If I had not forgotten my purse in my car I would never have known she was in trouble. When I went out I heard dogs barking in my neighborhood, lots of them. So I poked my head around the side of the house only to see three dogs playing toss with my cat. I screamed at them and they ran off. I called my cat and she tried to come to me, but fell over. So needless to say, I almost broke my legs getting to her. (I live on a steep hill.) I picked her up and I was just hysterical. I just lost my dog Gidget on 9/11/02 and I was NOT going to lose my only other baby. She was so scared, her breath was so raspy. I carried her in the house and everyone got up to see what I was yelling about. My Mom and her boyfriend are in town visiting with us, so they came running out, too. I wound up rushing her to the vet. She has extensive nerve damage to her right back leg and one puncture wound to her left side. She can't walk correctly because her left back leg is completely extended and not functional. It cost me 226.00 to have xrays, medication and steroid injections. I am furious!!! My cat was in her own yard!!! :mad: Her own yard!! And these three bullies come and toss her around. I went looking for them yesterday so i could present their owners with a bill, but lo and behold they cannot be found. What should I do??? I don't think I should have to pay for something someone's (unfenced) dogs did. Is there anything I can do?
My cat may never regain use of her leg and I am heartbroken. There has to be some kind of way to make sure these dogs never hurt her again.

Wendi

 

[ssleighter]

Originally posted by GeorgiaMama
There has to be some kind of way to make sure these dogs never hurt her again.

Wendi

There is, keep her indoors for the rest of her life!! Don't take this wrong way, because I know you love your cat, but this is the ONLY way to insure that she isn't attacked again. There is probably little you can do to recoup your money, but I would have certainly filed a police report. I don't know what your cities pet laws are, but dogs are not allowed to be "at large" in the city I live in, but there is no leash law for cats.

Eightball is 16 years old, so her golden years are ahead of her. She will not be able to escape another attack if her leg is permanently damaged, and she will more than likely be killed if it happens. Please, for your sake and hers, keep her inside. She may beg to go outside on occasion, but she'll get over it eventually.

Sharon

 

[matilda8255]

There is, keep her indoors for the rest of her life!! Don't take this wrong way, because I know you love your cat, but this is the ONLY way to insure that she isn't attacked again

I have to agree with ssleighter on this one. I have lost 2 male cats because they always wanted to go out and they suckered me into letting them. My Matilda has never and will never be allowed outside.

This situation is totally not your fault and it is a real shame that we have to change OUR babies behaviour because people can't be responsible for their pets. I'm am so sorry and I hope you kitty is feeling better after the horrible ordeal.

There is probably a leash law where you are as well, but good luck finding the owners of the dogs. People who let their dogs run free in that manner would be more likely to surrender the dogs to the pound anyway as oposed to going through legal issues. But the dogs were on YOUR property and that makes the dogs owner responsible legally.

 

[GeorgiaMama]

She'll never be let outside again. Even the vet said so. Eightball is damaged beyond repair. The only question is how much mobility she might recover in her leg. Eightball was already an inside cat, but made it outside during the night through the dryer hose vent hole. I have since duct taped it up.

It just makes me angry that these people can allow their dogs to roam free. The lady behind me has three dogs on a 10 x 6 deck. They are never let out and they bark all the time. I called to report them and they told me as long as they are in their own yard they can't do anything. Isn't this animal cruelty? My neighborhood is overrun by loose dogs and cats. The lady next door has a little over 15 cats (not sure how many). And their are tons of loose dogs. They crap in my yard continually.:mad: I get a fence in April, but I am having to take extreme measures to keep animals out of my flower beds, garage, garbage. I hate this neighborhood and would not have bought my house had I realized the kind of people lived here.

Wendi

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

Unfortunately. I aree with Sharon (and Mathilda who posted while I was writing). Besides the dogs, there are cars, there might be nasty mean teenagers manifesting their future serial killer tendencies, coyotes (I don't know if you have those in Georgia), other wildlife, etc. to consider. At her age, and with her leg damage, Eightball will have little chance to escape another threatening situation. I had a friend who constructed a very large cage outside in her backyard, screened in with chicken wire - it was big enough for a person to go inside. She would put her kitties in there to let them be outside and get some fresh air. It had shelves for them to rest on up high, it was actually very nice, catwise. (You'd have to make it strong enough to be dogproof somehow) I'm so sorry your kittie was hurt, you might want to report the attack to animal control since the dogs were off-leash. But if your town doesn't have a leash law, then you probably can't do much since dogs do chase cats, and dogs together, well, that's a "pack" and then they exhibit pack behavior.

 

[ssleighter]

I'm sorry, I noticed I didn't say that I hope that little Eightball heals very quickly! How rude of me!! It must have been a horrible experience for her and you both!

I am glad to hear that she will remain indoors! Dryer vent, who would've thought??? Sneaky little gal she is!!

I also have seen products for sale called cat tubes that allow you to let your cat outside without really being outside. I've considered getting these for my two cats, but they really don't show any interest in going outside.

Keep us posted on Eightball's healing progress!

Sharon

 

[DixieDiana]

First of all....I hope Eightball will be better real soon!

I am soooo sorry that happened to you. Glad to hear that you taped up the dryer vent so maybe nothing like that will ever happen again.

Best Wishes!

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

I'm really sorry you have to deal with those irresponsible pet owners. Also, like Sharon, I forgot to tell you that I hope your poor Eightball gets well quick. I'm a cat owner too, I have Roscoe and Sophie, and we send you best wishes from the cat side of our household.

Dryer vent?! Isn't that connected directly to the dryer? How did she do that?

 

[ssleighter]

Originally posted by Scrapper's Mom
Dryer vent?! Isn't that connected directly to the dryer? How did she do that?

I'm guessing she doesn't own a dryer so it isn't hooked up to anything. My brother had a ferret get IN his house once, he followed it and it went out the dryer vent. It came back the next night and my brother had a new pet! :D

 

[GeorgiaMama]

To answer your question, I do have a dryer. What happened (as best I can tell) Eightball went out into the garage via the cat door. That's where her litter box is. Then, I guess she was bored and wanted out. She pulled the plastic hose out of the wall and escaped through the hole leading outside. The hose was still connected to the dryer, but the other end was lying on the floor. Perfectly cat sized escape tunnel. My cat also has had to be flushed from the ventilation system. After 3 such episodes we wound up investing in metal tabs which prevent her from lifting the vent covers. She has been very clever all her life. Sometimes, too clever.:rolleyes: She opens the fridge regularly. She's very determined. Her other cute little quirk is climbing into cabinets, open dryers and :eek: ovens. So my friends all think I am incredibly strange until they discover her in a cabinet, oven, dryer, laundry basket or shower. Then they know why I am always double checking places. Its been an exciting 16 years and counting, but I wouldn't change a thing. :D

Thanks for all the well wishes!!! She is hopping around now, a great sign!!!!!! I can only hope this will get better.

Eightball sends her furballs and nuzzles!!

Wendi